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Pioneer SA9100 & TX9100 repair near McLean VA? (Worth it?)

Hi, my neighbor's husband recently passed away and left her with a number of interesting pieces of vintage gear. Included are the following: Pioneer SA-9100 amp (a beauty) and Pioneer TX-9100. I smoke tested both, but stopped because the amp failed to output anything other than background noise and an exceedingly weak signal to my sacrificial speakers (known to be good).

I'd like to get an estimate for repair of both (also looking at re-capping/mods), preferably local to avoid shipping. In my opinion, both of these have a very nice look and feel, and some great features. I just don;t know what they sound like "fixed" or "modded".

Do you think these are worthwhile repairing? 

Do you have a suggestion for a repair person who is familiar with these?

Thanks!


vicweast
jl35
4,217 posts
 
I agree, that's why I think if the new owner is not particularly interested in vintage electronics, it might be best to make an easy quick $150 and not deal with all the issues of repair, refurb, sale, shipping...if the new owner likes vintage gear, as we obviously do, it's a great place to start with a refurb and a great new system...
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I work on vintage solid state units and my repair costs start from $200 as perhaps many other techs do. Technically selling this unit for $150 and adding $200...250 can get fully restored and functional unit.
The SA9100 amp has been in my store a couple times. Most of the cheap parts such as driving transistors, smaller caps and resistors are included in the base. Larger filter caps and power transistors sometimes worth a lot so they add extra to the charge. Most of the repair costs asking price is labor, because it's tough to get through the boards especially in the vintage receivers. 

loomisjohnson
1,987 posts
 
i had the (lower model) sa7100 for a long time and preferred it to comparable sansui and yamaha (tho not as much as harman kardon)--my recollection was that the preamp section was excellent, the amp section less so. (can't speak to the tx-9100 tuner, tho it seems to be pretty well regarded on fmtunerinfo). as for whether they're worth restoring, at the modest prices these command i'd personally be more inclined to invest in  already-restored units  than to tackle the uncertainty of refurbishing a non-functional one (or alternatively, to sell 'em for parts and invest in a monster receiver like the sx1050, which are more sought-after and collectible).
vicweast's avatar
vicweast OP
150 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I explained the situation to my neighbor and I then sold both units to HiFi Heaven in Falls Church, VA. He will restore them and sell them. My neighbor no longer has them sitting around, and instead she has a check for a modest sum...
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
I think your neighbor made a wise decision.  Good for you for helping her out.
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